Depression after weight loss

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  • unbreakablemoth
    unbreakablemoth Posts: 28
    Losing weight is such an emotional thing--for one (as my doctor discussed with me), as you lose weight you're releasing hormones, and that can mess with you. For example, if a man my size were to have his testosterone extracted from him, he would be left with the estrogen levels of a pre-menopausal woman.

    I personally fear weight loss. I have never been thin, or a "standard size," and have never been "seen" in the way that some women are--where people open doors and make eye contact freely--especially buy you drinks, etc. I have always sort of lived as if on the outside looking in, so the idea of taking this shield down is scary. I am doing better this time around--less outright panic--but it's a thing. Someone said "excuse me" in an isle the other day and I was sort of shocked.

    Some have mentioned too the amount of pressure we put on the lifestyle we'll have when we're "thin," and how that life will be so much better than the ones we have now--and if it's not--the disappointment.

    Then there's dysmorphia (like others have also mentioned) of not being able to recognize where our bodies have changed. I deal with that a lot myself.

    I personally have a hard time with weight loss--it's triggering on a lot of levels. I have a hard time with where my body is now, and the surgeries I'll need, and other physical things, and my hormones are probably making that worse, and it makes everything else harder. I have issues with suicidal ideation that hinge on body image issues that weight loss has worsened for me in a weird way, and with help from myfitnesspal members, I got up the guts to talk to my doctor about it and start antidepressants to get some floor under me. I agree with what others have said--talk to someone. Don't feel like what you're going through is too mild for someone to care, or not severe enough for professional help. There are so many levels of care too...maybe chemical levels need checking, or maybe acupuncture, maybe you're depressed, or maybe you just need someone to TALK you through this transition and get you some closure. I think closure is important with weight loss--like a mourning process. It is it's own beast.

    I wish you the very best!

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